Disney Channel casting in S.A.

By Jeanne Jakle :
July 9, 2013
: Updated: July 10, 2013 11:22am

Casting executive Judy Taylor (second from left) hopes to discover another young talent in San Antonio along the lines of 'Wizards of Waverly Place' discovery, Selena Gomez, seen here with co-stars Maria Canals-Barrera and David Henrie.

Attention, San Antonio parents of aspiring young actors! Disney Channel is hosting a rare opportunity here that you won't want to miss.

The popular kids channel will hold its annual open casting call in San Antonio the last weekend of July in hopes of discovering the next Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato or Zac Efron.

Sebastien De La Cruz, S.A.'s adorable little mariachi who made such a splash on “America's Got Talent” and, more recently, singing the national anthem during the NBA Finals, plans on being there.

“Sebastien wants to do acting,” his dad, Juan De La Cruz, said. “He hasn't taken any classes, but acting comes very naturally to him.”

What better way to get one's foot in the door than to meet one of the true movers and shakers in the biz? That's Judy Taylor, senior vice president of casting/talent relations for Disney, who, during her 40 years in casting, helped establish many stars in successful TV careers.

In a phone chat, Taylor elaborated on what Disney will be looking for at the open call. When I mentioned De La Cruz, she was certainly aware of the talented 11-year-old.

“I did hear him sing,” Taylor said. “He has a fabulous voice. And so cute.”

The details: Disney's target age range is 10 through 17. Those interested should go to San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter, 101 Bowie St., from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on July 27 or 28. The first day, Disney will look at young people with last names beginning with A through M; those with last names beginning with N through Z should come the next day. An application and monologue will be provided, and minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Why was San Antonio chosen?

“We try to mix it up every year, to do a talent search in different regions of the country,” Taylor said. “Our goal is to reach kids who might not otherwise have the opportunity to be seen by a professional casting director.

“We've had great success in Texas, so every few years we like to get back there,” she said, adding: “Diversity is a real guidepost for Disney Channel.”

Grand Prairie native Gomez, whose star shot up with the Disney hit “Wizards of Waverly Place,” was discovered at a casting call in Austin in 2004.

“Selena showed up. Her audition is infamous. When it came back to us in L.A., we knew right away she had something special,” Taylor said. “In her case, we believed so strongly she was a perfect fit for Disney that we put her in three different pilots. 'Wizards' is the one that hit, and lasted four seasons.”

What does Disney look for in a kid? “First, a natural acting ability — not forced; it should feel like an extension of their personality. A keen sense of humor is nice — knowing where the jokes are. A lot of our shows are multicamera sitcoms, so it's a plus when we find talent that understands comedy.

“We look for kids who are accessible and relatable,” she added, “that special charisma and presence in a star that could anchor a show but also other types of talent that could round out an ensemble cast.”

“All elements really meshed,” she said. “There was great storytelling, fantastic music and a great director, Kenny Ortega. Everyone we cast fit those roles to a T.”

The main focus of this audition is “acting ability,” she said. Singing talent is “icing on the cake.”

There may be an opportunity for a kid to sing a few bars, she added, “or if they put something on a CD, we'll be happy to take it to L.A.”

How can parents prepare their kids? “Make sure they get a good night's rest,” she said, adding it's a good idea to bring water, a healthy snack and a book or something else the kids can do while waiting in line. Once they have the monologue, “they should try to make it their own.”

Dress? “Comfortably in whatever makes them feel good and reflects who they are.”

Most important, kids should treat it as an adventure. “Tell them to have fun. ... It's an experience they may not have again.”

Parents should also strive not to raise expectations too high, for the open call or anytime a kid wants to pursue acting.

“We encourage parents to start small; have their child participate in the school drama club or try out at a little theater in town,” Taylor said. “When they see other kids on TV, it seems easy and fun, but, really, it's a difficult business.”

Jeanne Jakle's column appears Wednesdays and Sundays in mySA, and she blogs at Jakle's Jacuzzi on mySA.com. Email her at jjakle@express-news.net.